#15

"This never happened before... Why would Duke Veyner adopt me? Am I missing something?..." she thought.

Upon arriving at the mansion, everything felt unfamiliar. The grand estate, once known as the Mansion of Whales, had undergone significant changes. Her previous life had been starkly different from what she was seeing now. Everyone gathered to greet the duke—something that had never happened before. Back then, no one had even acknowledged his presence. The structures inside were also altered. What happened? Was it always like this before?

"Take her to her room," the duke commanded the butler.

I silently followed the butler through the grand halls, confusion nagging at me. It soon dawned on me—he was heading in the wrong direction. Or was it just me? Had the mansion's layout been completely changed? In my previous life, my room had been tucked away in the maids' quarters. But now...

I stood stunned as the butler opened the door. My room—it wasn’t just a room. It was a whole house!

I stepped inside, my jaw practically hitting the floor. Ornate chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting a soft, golden glow over the luxurious furnishings. A plush, king-sized bed rested at the center, draped in silk sheets embroidered with intricate patterns. The walls were adorned with tapestries and paintings that looked more expensive than anything I’d ever seen.

“This... This is mine?” I muttered, disbelief evident in my voice.

The butler turned to face me, bowing slightly. “Yes, my lady. If you need anything, please ring the bell by the bedside. Dinner will be served shortly in the grand dining hall.”

I nodded absentmindedly, still overwhelmed by my surroundings. As soon as the door closed behind him, I slumped onto the bed, sinking into its softness. My fingers traced the embroidery on the sheets as I whispered to myself, “Why is this happening? What does the duke want from me?”

Memories of my previous life flickered in my mind—the cold, barren room in the maids’ quarters, the constant feeling of being unseen and unwanted. I wasn’t adopted then. I wasn’t... important.

But now, everything was different. The duke had adopted me. This mansion was practically treating me like royalty. The question was why.

Standing up, I approached the full-length mirror near the wardrobe. My reflection stared back, and for a moment, I barely recognized myself. The girl in the mirror didn’t look like the maid I used to be—tired, worn, and invisible. This girl looked... noble.

“Is this some kind of dream?” I murmured, touching my face. "If this is... I want to wake up..."

But if it wasn’t a dream, then it was clear—I needed answers.

A while later, a maid entered the room, bowing politely. "Hello, my lady. I am Milla, and I’ll be your personal maid starting today."

"Milla?" I muttered, the name unfamiliar to me. "I’m... Arwenzylle," I said hesitantly, the sound of my new name still strange on my tongue.

Milla’s gaze softened as she looked me over, her expression briefly flickering with concern. “My lady, forgive me for saying this, but you seem to be... in need of a bath. Allow me to assist you.”

I glanced down at myself and realized what she meant. My dress was dusty, and my hands still bore faint traces of dirt from the long journey here. Embarrassment crept up my cheeks. In my past life, no one would’ve cared about my appearance. Now, I had a maid who seemed genuinely concerned.

“Ah, yes. Thank you,” I replied, trying to sound composed despite my unease.

Milla smiled gently. “This way, my lady. I’ve already prepared the bath for you.”

She led me through a small door connected to the room, which opened to reveal a bathroom larger than my old bedroom. A marble tub sat in the center, steaming water filled to the brim and infused with rose petals and herbs. The scent was heavenly, a stark contrast to the cold water I’d been accustomed to in the maids' quarters.

Milla moved efficiently, laying out fresh towels and a soft, lavender-colored gown. “Shall I assist you, my lady?”

I hesitated. It wasn’t that I was unused to help—I’d been ordered around by superiors often enough in my previous life. But this... this was different. The way Milla spoke, her tone devoid of judgment or condescension, felt strange.

“I think I can manage on my own,” I said, offering a small smile.

“As you wish,” she said, bowing again. “I’ll leave you to it. Please call if you need anything.”

Once she left, I slipped into the tub, letting the warm water envelop me. The heat soothed my aching muscles, and for the first time in what felt like ages, I allowed myself to relax. My mind, however, was far from calm.

Why was I given all this? A personal maid, a luxurious room, and the title of a noble? What did Duke Veyner gain from adopting me?

And most importantly... how long would this last?

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